Church’s candlelight march highlights calls for change in drugs policy

The Church of Scotland said the memorial at Springburn Parish Church in Glasgow is a stark reminder of the toll that substances continue to take on families and communities.

Statistics show that there were 1,187 drugs related deaths in Scotland in 2018, up 27 per cent on the previous year. The death rate is higher than any other EU country.

 

The handmade crosses, which are around 7 inches tall, were made by former addicts in recovery and were planted Friday morning ahead of a candlelight march through the streets of Springburn to remember all those who tragically lost their lives.

Around 300 people, including elected politicians and those campaigning for seats in the House of Commons, are expected to take part along with public sector workers and representatives from Police Scotland.

Rev Brian Casey, minister of Springburn Parish Church, said drug addiction must be treated as a public health emergency.

He revealed that around a third of the 500 funerals he has conducted over the last five years were drugs related.

Rev Casey, a former police officer, said: “The time has come to break the stigma that drugs related deaths are always self-inflicted.

“Addiction can affect anyone and most families will have experience of it.

“The walk will show that we all want change and improvement that leads to a drop in drug deaths and more understanding and facilities to help…

… Read More

—

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

قالب وردپرس

Senior democrat scolds reporter for asking if she hates Donald Trump

Ms Pelosi told reporters at her weekly press conference Thursday that as a Catholic, she resents the suggestion that she hates anyone.

She fired back at the questioner: “Don’t mess with me when it comes to words like that.”

 

The reporter asked: “Do you hate the president, Madam Speaker?”

“I don’t hate anybody,” Ms Pelosi responded.

She went on to call Mr Trump, the subject of only the fourth presidential impeachment inquiry in history, a “coward” on gun policy, “cruel” on immigration and “in denial” about the climate crisis.

Earlier, Ms Pelosi announced that the House will draft articles of impeachment against Mr Trump over his pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democrats and political rival Joe Biden as Mr Trump was withholding aid to Ukraine.

On impeachment, she told reporters: “This is about the Constitution of the United States and the facts that lead to the president’s violation of the oath of office.

“And as a Catholic I resent your using the word hate in a sentence that addresses me.”

She said she prays for Mr Trump, with whom she has faced off all year on issues like the partial government shutdown.

“I don’t hate anyone. I was raised in a way that is full heart full of love and always pray for the president and I still pray for the president. I pray for the president all the time.”

The question about hating Mr Trump came as she was leaving her weekly press…

… Read More

—

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

قالب وردپرس

Songs of Praise presenter Katherine Jenkins mugged after intervening in street robbery

The 39-year-old was on her way to a rehearsal at about 3.10pm on Wednesday when she witnessed an elderly woman being attacked.

After she stepped in to help, the singer was then mugged herself, her agent said.

 

The Welsh mezzo-soprano was in London to sing at the Henry van Straubenzee charity carol concert at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea.

“Miraculously, Katherine still managed to perform at the concert as she didn’t want to let the charity down,” her agent added.

The Met Police said it was called to reports of a robbery on King’s Road in Chelsea at about 3.10pm on 4th December.

Officers attended the incident and arrested two 15-year-old girls on suspicion of robbery, a police spokesperson said.

“A female member of the public had attempted to intervene,” the spokeswoman added.

An officer was assaulted during the incident but did not require hospital treatment.

The two girls were released under investigation, but one was re-arrested on December 5 in connection with the same incident after further information was received.

She remains in custody.

In a statement, Jenkins’ agent said: “Katherine was in London to sing at the Henry van Straubenzee memorial charity carol concert at St Luke’s Church.

“On her way to rehearsal she witnessed an older lady being viciously mugged and intervened to help.

“As a result of her stepping in, Katherine was then mugged herself.

“However she helped…

… Read More

—

Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

قالب وردپرس

The Berry Bucket and How It Often Causes Church Conflict

Podcast Episode #595

SUBSCRIBE:
iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio • Spotify

What in the world is a Berry Bucket? If you don’t think this is a relevant topic for your church join Thom and Sam as they discuss the Berry Bucket and how it is often the source of church conflict.

Highlights:

    • Understanding the Concept of the Berry Bucket
    • Why Years Two and Three Are the Most Common Berry Bucket Conflict Years
    • The Communication Issues with the Berry Bucket
    • Surviving the Berry Bucket

Other highlights:

    • How is the Berry Bucket created?
    • How are existing church members threatened by the Berry Bucket?
    • Conflict with the Berry Bucket can depend upon what type of new church member is acquired.
    • It will benefit the leader to over communicate the wins and advantages of the Berry Bucket.
    • A pastor can change the pace of change with tenure.
    • A church may be declining in growth and still experience the difficult challenges of the Berry Bucket.

Resources:


Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting…

… Read More

—

Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

قالب وردپرس

LGBT Activists Protest Canadian Chick-fil-A, Say Changes Are Not Enough

LGBT Activists Protest Canadian Chick-fil-A, Say Changes Are Not Enough


The planned opening of a Chick-fil-A in Windsor, Ontario, is drawing protests from LGBT activists, despite the company’s change in giving strategy. 

About 20 people protested outside the Windsor city hall Monday, holding signs reading “Chick-fil-A hates LGBTQ+ people,” and “Chick-fil-A is a homophobe,” according to the Windsor Star. 

The property of the Devonshire Mall in Windsor is the proposed location.

The proposed site was listed on the agenda as information only, and council members did not vote, the Star reported. Still, the protesters said they wanted to make their voices heard.  

“If and when they do open, we’re going to be there protesting,” protest organizer Cole Fortier told the newspaper. “Their grand opening, job fairs, whatever they have, we’re going to be there.”

The Chick-fil-A Foundation last month announced a new donation strategy it said will “provide additional clarity and impact with the causes it supports.” Beginning in 2020, the Chick-fil-A Foundation will support Junior Achievement, Covenant House International and local food banks. 

The Foundation will no longer support the Salvation Army or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes — the two organizations that were at the heart of many LGBTQ protests of Chick-fil-A in recent years. 

The protesters in Windsor, Canada said the Foundation’s change in giving strategy does not…

… Read More

Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.

قالب وردپرس

Openly Gay Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg Criticized for Volunteering with Salvation Army

Openly Gay Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg Criticized for Volunteering with Salvation Army


Two-year-old photos of former mayor and Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg have surfaced showing him volunteering for the Salvation Army, which has recently made headlines after Chick-fil-A removed donations from the charity over their alleged anti-gay agenda.

“I know the photos are two years old, but still, I can’t help but wonder if Mayor Pete just looks at what LGBTQ activists have been working on for years and then chooses to spite it,” said Zach Ford, press secretary of the Alliance for Justice, a progressive organization, in response to the article calling out Buttigieg in Out Magazine.

In the photos, the openly gay candidate is standing outside Peggs restaurant in South Bend, Indiana, ringing a bell for the charity’s Red Kettle Ring Off, according to NBC News. The last known year for his volunteer work was 2015.

The ire with the Salvation Army started in 2012 when trans women claimed the organization was discriminatory towards them. Five years later, the New York City Commission on Human Rights filed a complaint against the charity for allegedly refusing transgender clients at a substance abuse center.

The controversy heated up when Chick-fil-A, a regular sponsor of the charity, was hit with an LGBTQ boycott because of its partnership. Earlier this month, the chicken chain changed course and stopped donations to the Salvation Army for 2020.

But…

… Read More

Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.

قالب وردپرس

Chick-fil-A Distances Itself from Donation to Anti-Christian Southern Poverty Law Center

Chick-fil-A Distances Itself from Donation to Anti-Christian Southern Poverty Law Center


Chick-fil-A is distancing itself from a highly criticized donation that was made to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a left-leaning organization that labels many Christian ministries “hate groups.”

Tax records show the Chick-fil-A Foundation donated $2,500 to the Southern Poverty Law Center in 2017. The SPLC is known for its “hate map,” which includes 1,020 organizations it labels “hate groups” – but many of which would be called mainstream by evangelical and conservative Christians. The American Family Association, the Family Research Council and Alliance Defending Freedom all are considered hate groups by SPLC. 

“The SPLC donation was made by a volunteer member of the Chick-fil-A Foundation Advisory Board,” a Chick-fil-A spokesperson told the Daily Caller last week. “Each volunteer advisor, in 2017, was offered the opportunity to recommend a grant recipient. The grants were given to a range of organizations, including Meals on Wheels, Atlanta Mission, the Holocaust Survivor Support Fund, Georgia Historical Society and brain health research at Emory University.”

The spokesperson then cited Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy.

“He famously said: ‘Probably the greatest gift that God has given any one of us is the power that we have to change people’s lives by what we do,’” the spokesperson said. “The best-run company is the company that is…

… Read More

Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.

قالب وردپرس

China’s Communist Party Censors Phone Owners Use of ‘Sensitive Words’ like ‘Almighty God’

China’s Communist Party Censors Phone Owners Use of ‘Sensitive Words’ like ‘Almighty God’


China’s Communist Party is cracking down on phone users by blocking words “sensitive to the state”—such as “Almighty God”—and deactivating numbers, according to the Christian Post.

“If one says anything deemed unfavorable to the CCP, he or she will be punished,” Mr. Li, a former employee of state-owned China Mobile Online Services Company said to Bitter Winter. Li, who recently resigned from the company, asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.

While working for China Mobile Online Services, he and 500 other employees monitored all messages and phone calls for sensitive information. Any employee who discovered critical remarks towards the CCP or any other leaders would review it and send to authorities.

“If anyone were not careful enough and missed a piece of sensitive information, this would result in the deduction in monthly salary and year-end bonus,” he said. “I usually had to handle more than ten thousand pieces of information every month. It was unavoidable to make mistakes, at least one or two a year.”

Users who were caught with critical remarks could have their services disabled. “If users wanted to reactivate their service,” Li said, “they have to go to a China Mobile service center with their ID card and write a statement promising never to share any sensitive information again.”

If the comments are deemed…

… Read More

Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.

قالب وردپرس

3 to 1 Legal Experts Agree Trump Bribed, Obstructed Justice as House Moves Forward with Impeachment

3 to 1 Legal Experts Agree Trump Bribed, Obstructed Justice as House Moves Forward with Impeachment


After legal experts disagreed over Trump’s actions, the House has decided to move forward with impeachment.

On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee released a 300-page report accusing the President of bribery, obstructing justice, and endangering the country from foreign powers.

“President Trump’s scheme subverted U.S. foreign policy toward Ukraine and undermined our national security in favor of two politically motivated investigations that would help his presidential reelection campaign,” the report said.

But legal experts disagree with the charges, CBN News reports. On Wednesday, the House invited four constitutional law experts to testify—one called by Republicans and three called by Democrats. Perhaps predictably, the experts were divided by party lines.

“President Trump has committed impeachable high crimes and misdemeanors by corruptly abusing the office of the presidency,” said one expert, Noah Feldman, a Harvard law professor.

“If what we’re talking about is not impeachable, then nothing is impeachable,” said another, UNC law professor Michael Gerhardt.

The third expert, Stanford law professor Pamela Karlan, cautioned lawmakers on the implications of the impeachment. “The evidence reveals a president who used the powers of his office to demand that a foreign government participate in undermining a competing candidate for…

… Read More

Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.

قالب وردپرس

Philippians 4:6 Was the Most Popular Bible Verse of 2019, YouVersion Says

Philippians 4:6 Was the Most Popular Bible Verse of 2019, YouVersion Says


The most popular Bible verse this year on the YouVersion app was a passage about trusting God instead of worrying. 

Philippians 4:6 was the most popular Bible verse of 2019 on YouVersion, the free Bible app that launched in 2008 and grew by 50 million unique installs this year. The verse reads, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” 

Since its launch 11 years ago by Life.Church, YouVersion has been installed 400 million times around the world. The majority of the 400 million installs have taken place outside the United States. Poland, for example, saw a 75 percent increase in installs this year. India experienced 51 percent more engagement on YouVersion compared to 2018.

The YouVersion app offers 2,000 Bible versions in more than 1,350 languages.

“Our desire is to help people grow in their relationship with God by encouraging them to read the Bible and seek Him every day,” said YouVersion founder Bobby Gruenewald. “We’re encouraged to see so many people turning to the Bible in response to their worries, remembering what God has done in their lives, and choosing to trust in His faithfulness.”

The most popular Bible verse in 2018 was Isaiah 41:10: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my…

… Read More

Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.

قالب وردپرس